CONTRACTORS have been urged to register their details for advanced notice of potential contracts related to a major offshore wind project.
The call follows a ‘well attended, lively, and engaging’ supply chain event held last week held at the Scottish Association of Marine Science’s (SAMS) base at the European Marine Science Park near Oban.
Information was shared about upcoming opportunities relating to the MachairWind project being developed west of Islay, as well as showcasing the expertise amongst local companies available to support the project.
ScottishPower shared information on the project, what will be required from the supply chain, and how local companies could benefit. Around 100 people attended, with them made up of local firms working in the marine sector, manufacturers, and fabricators, as well as businesses working in logistics, civils, and property.
MachairWind is ScottishPower’s first offshore windfarm off the coast of Argyll. It has a proposed generating capacity of 2GW, which is enough clean, green electricity to power the equivalent of more than two million homes across the UK. This is expected to make a ‘significant’ contribution to achieving Scotland’s and the UK’s net zero targets.
Morag Goodfellow, HIE area manager for Argyll and the Islands, said, “The MachairWind project is a major opportunity for Argyll and the Islands. there’ll be many local contractors in the supply chain who are well placed to benefit from this. This in turn will strengthen rural employment and community resilience.
“That’s why we hosted this event. It was very well attended, lively and engaging, which was great to see. ScottishPower Renewables provided lots of information about the MachairWind project, its timeline and requirements. There was plenty input from supply chain companies focusing on the expertise that’s available to support the project’s development.
“The next stage is for companies to register with the project web portal, so they can tap into the opportunities as and when they arise. That’s what we’re encouraging companies to do as soon as they can.”
Kiera Wilson ScottishPower Renewable’s senior project manager for the MachairWind project, added, “It was fantastic to attend the west coast supply chain event in Dunstaffnage last week and to see so much interest in MachairWind.
“It was great to get a better understanding of how the skills, capabilities and experience across the Scottish supply chain fit with what’s required for our first offshore windfarm in Argyll and Bute.”
Companies wishing to register their details ahead of the project commencing can do so by clicking here.
